Washington, D.C. - Congressman Howard Berman, senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012.  The bill is an annual effort to lay out authorities and funding levels for the Pentagon.  Congressman Berman has supported previous NDAA legislation, but this year’s bill contained provisions that he found profoundly objectionable.  These include efforts to prevent the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and a poorly written expansion of the authorization for the war on terror.

“This year’s defense authorization bill contains provisions that would weaken our military, and as a result, this is the first time in many years I could not support this legislation,” said Congressman Berman.  “Delaying the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell would force brave men and women in uniform who are gay to deny who they are or leave the service.  Our military leaders have been clear in their support of this repeal, and standing in the way is unconscionable.”  

“The bill also contains a poorly defined, overly broad expansion of the war on terror.  I believe that Congress should act to clarify the parameters of the President’s authority to target and detain terrorists, but this bill goes too far.  I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft appropriate language as this bill moves through the legislative process. 

“If we are able to reach a reasonable compromise on the revised authorization for the use of military force, and if the objectionable language on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is removed, then I have every intention of voting for the final version of the defense authorization bill” concluded Rep. Berman.